The State as a Battleground of Policy: The Interaction between Administrative Techniques and Political Strategies
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Abstract
This article analyzes the role of the state as a contested policy arena rather than a neutral administrative mechanism. It conceptualizes the state as a space of interaction between technocratic logic and political strategy, drawing on Marxist, pluralist, and new institutionalist theories of the state, as well as public policy theories such as technocracy versus politics, policy networks, and advocacy coalitions, alongside the perspectives of Pierre Bourdieu and Antonio Gramsci. The findings suggest that contemporary public policies often take the form of “hybrid policies,” which outwardly rely on technical rationality to claim legitimacy while internally embedding power-driven motivations. Technical knowledge is employed both to advance social objectives and as a strategic political instrument, while expertise itself is not immune to the influence of interest groups. The case of Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage policy clearly illustrates this dynamic. The article argues that understanding the state and public policy in contemporary contexts requires acknowledging the overlap between technical expertise and politics, and calls for policy processes that balance knowledge, political legitimacy, and meaningful public participation.
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